October 2009

E-Newsletter from the Executive Director
October 2009

What's In This Issue

• Chamber News
• Chamber Member News
• Community Notes
• September/October Calendar

Chamber News

Mackinaw CA$H BA$H Community Raffle is fast approaching!!
Tickets ($100 ea) are still available for this October 2^nd event at Audie's Banquet Room. See Gene Cooley, Donna Beach, Judy Most, Belinda Mollen or call the Chamber at 436-5574 for your ticket.

Chamber Annual Dinner Join us for a great evening at the Admiral's Table Wednesday, October 7.Our Annual meeting with a year in review is held from 5:30 pm to 6:00pm.  The Cocktail hour, with special cash bar drink prices, begins at 6:00pm featuring a specialty drink and an array of appetizers. Dinner starts at 6:45. Admiral's Tables Owner Pam Gierlaszynski, is using a fall food fair theme this year and continues to delight Chamber guests with tasty dishes all evening.  Annually she adds several new appetizers and always adds a seasonal specialty salad. This year the entries include Prime Rib, her famous Coconut Shrimp and succulent Chicken Piccata, plus a potato, vegetable and rolls.  For dessert Pam is serving Caramel Banana Tiramisu. Yum-m-m  

Advanced prepaid dinner reservations are due by 10-1-09 (20.00 pp).

Re-Cap of the Big Mac Shoreline Fall Scenic Bike Tour & Ride Across the Mackinac Bridge  
Big Mac Shoreline Bike Tour had almost 370 participants. The weather couldn't have been more perfect!  The Sunday ride over the Mackinac Bridge was a huge success for over 280 riders! We thank Blue Cross Blue Shield for again sponsoring the Fall bike tour. All of our ride volunteers stepped up and facilitated a successful ride. 

Welcome New Members!
Keyhole Bar & Grill - Sharon Zulski & Tracy Downing
Pines of Paradise - Cliff Smith & Helen Smith
Friends of Paradise Lake - Rosemary Consani, Vice Pres.
Joann Leal & Ron Wallin - Friends of the Chamber
Pellston Veterinary Clinic - Traci Dulak
Ember's of Mackinaw - New owners, Robert & Gerry Glenn
Jungle Jims Jumpers - Jim & Renee Brown 

If you have employees that would like to receive these updates, email Kelly the addresses at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website ads are available for as little as $250 per year.  Working with echamberconnect, we are able to offer our chamber member discounts on the ads and websites.  Contact Kelly for more information.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Maximize hits to your site by linking back to the Chamber http://www.mackinawchamber.com/   Mackinawchamber.com hits to date has reached 7 million, up from last year's total of 4.9 million hits.

Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Guide is available online.  It features a city map and business, service member info and locators.

Village information is available at http://www.mackinawcity.org/.  

Chamber Member News 

The Ember's of Mackinaw is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 8 am to 8 pm.  The breakfast buffet is offered on weekends only.  Stop by and say "Hi" to the new owners, Robert & Gerry Glenn of Mackinaw City.

Win a trip for two to the top of the Mackinac Bridge!  The best & most difficult to obtain view in the Straits of Mackinac!  Tickets $5 each or 5 for $20 can be purchased at the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association gift shop, 707 N. Huron Ave.  Proceeds to GLLKA Lighthouse Restoration Programs.  Drawing to be held March 31, 2010.

The Business Resource Center is up and running at the Mackinaw Public Library.  Lots of new books and reference material on how to start a business, sustain a current business and resources for locating a variety of helpful business information for the entrepreneur is available here.  Done in partnership with the Library, sbTdc, Village of Mackinaw City and the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce. Coordinated through the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance.  Grand opening reception TBA.

Workshop: Creative Employer Staffing During Tough Times
Tuesday, October 27, 2009; 8:00 a.m. - 12 noon, Traverse City Michigan WORKS! Service Center
This workshop will benefit: Small Business Owners, CEOs, CFOs, HR Managers / Office Managers,  Accountants / Accounting Firms.  See website for more details: http://www.nwm.org/etc.asp

The first seminar: Importing Basics is on October 1, 2009 and is presented in partnerships with: Northwestern Bank and Northwest Michigan WORKS!

The second seminar: Basics of Exporting is on October 2, 2009 and is presented in partnership with: Dennis, Gartland & Niergarth, Certified Public Accountants/Business Advisors.  Please click on the following link for additional information and registration: http://www.nwmia.org/events-and-meetings-11/

Both of the seminars will be held in Traverse City on October 1st and 2nd at the Northwestern Bank, Hannah Lay Building Room #204, 109 East Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684.  If you have any questions please contact Steve Emerson at 231-632-3432.

NORTH COUNTRY GARDENS   231-436-5169:
MUMS are in and offer a new splash of color for the fall.  Great colors to choose from and a variety of sizes. FRESH CUT FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS AND BALLOON BOUQUETS ALONG WITH MANY HOUSE PLANTS AVAILABLE. WILL DELIVER & VISA/MASTERCARD ACCCEPTED.   CALL FOR ESTIMATES OR TO PLACE YOUR ORDER.  LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE MACKINAW CLUB GOLF COURSE, 4 MILES FROM TOWN.

Unemployment Insurance Agency to hold free seminars for employers about Michigan's UI system.
Back by popular demand!  The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will be holding a series of ten free half-day seminars for employers about the state's unemployment program at various locales around the state in October and November.
 
"Last year we held several employer seminars and the response was overwhelming," UIA Director Stephen Geskey said.  "Just about every session was filled, and we had to schedule additional sessions.  Due to their popularity, we will offer them again this year."
 
The seminars explain to employers Michigan's UI tax and benefit programs as well as recent changes at the agency.  Seminar topics include:  how UI benefits are paid and charged to employer UI accounts; new online UIA services for employers; how UIA calculates employer UI tax rates; and how to appeal an agency determination.  In addition, there will be two breakout sessions - one on UI benefits and the other on UI taxes.
 
Each session starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m.   
 
Tamara Ward, NEMCSA-MI Works! Area Manager,(989) 732-3886 Gaylord Office, (231) 627-4303 Cheboygan Office, (989) 733-8548 Onaway
 
Ice Breaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum is open for tours daily from 10 am to 6 pm, September 7 thru October 11.  Visit their website at http://www.themackinaw.org/ or phone 231-436-9825 for more information.

The Wawatam Area Senior Center is serving dinners on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 5:30pm and on Sundays at 1:00pm. The Senior Center is located at the Lion Dan Russell Building on Cedar Street, west of the cemetery, in Mackinaw City. All meals include soup, salad bar and dessert. A donation of $3.00 is suggested for seniors 60 and over. There is a fee of $5.00 for family members and guests 59 years and younger. For more information call 436-5334 or 436-5626. The number at the Center, for menu information, is 436-5323.

Jr's Tailgate Pub Specials: Monday: 16" One Item pizza with Pitcher of Beer for $15, Tuesday: 3 tacos for $5, Wednesday: 1/2 off pizza dine in or pickup, Thursday: $5 Wet Burrito, Friday: 10% any Mexican entree or combo platter, Saturday: Cooks choice, Sunday: $2 hot dogs / $4 burgers / $5 beer pitchers. 

Community Notes

Mary Ann Moore of Mackinaw City was honored September 15th! National Retired Teachers Association, AARP's Educator Community, honored Mary Ann with an NRTA with our youth! Excellence Award. She was honored for her volunteer service to the community as a lighthouse keeper and as an inspiration and teacher to future generations.  Congratulations! 

The Gerald R. Ford Council, Boy Scouts of America of the Grand Rapids, MI area will have a group of 1,500 attending an event in Mackinaw City on September 25-27, 2009.  The group will start by camping at Mill Creek on Friday, travel to Mackinac Island for a Saturday program and then dinner and a program at Colonial Michilimackinac.  They will return to Mil Creek for Saturday night and Sunday morning.  Scouts will have time on Mackinac Island to visit businesses on Saturday.  They will also have time to visit Mackinac City businesses on Friday afternoon / Evening and Sunday.  Please contact Russ Kolski at 616-460-5210 with questions. 

Tony Rubleski is coming to the Petoskey area on Wed. Oct. 7^th to do a seminar titled "Quit Whining and Start Selling." The seminar is going to run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at a venue-to-be-determined in the Petoskey area.  The cost to attend is $50/person, members of participating chambers is just $35/person. Contact Carlin Smith, President, Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, 231.347.4150 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register.

Emmet County Northern Giveaway Contest 2010 
Chamber members are invited to be a part of this fun contact with gift certificates to restaurants, retail shops, lodging and attractions.  Entrants will submit an essay on why they like coming "Up North".  Emmet County will give a 3 night stay  at one of the Headland Houses plus are certificates.  Contributons will be listed and linked to the Emmet County website.  Contact Fred Gray for more information. 231-330-4602 cell, 231-348-1704 office or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

September Calendar

25-27 Fall Pandora Trunk Show at Mackenzie's on the Ave. Spend $100 in Pandora Jewelry; get free lobster claw bracelet, $35 value

25-27 See North Annual Conference, Boyne Highlands Resort. For more information, email Cindy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 231.348.9700.

26-27   King's 8^th Regiment Encampment - Colonial Michilimackinac www.mackinacparks.com

28   American Red Cross Blood Drive - Noon to 5:45pm at Cedarbrook Village. Walk-in donors are welcome, or call to make an appointment at 537-4818

October Calendar

Laser Light Show in the Mackinaw Crossings Mall on Friday & Saturday nights at dusk.  Weather permitting it will run through October.

2   Mackinaw Cash Bash Raffle at Audie's Banquet Room - 6 pm.  Tickets $100 each offers 26 ways to win CASH!!!!  Contact the Chamber today for your ticket!  436-5574

3  Village of Mackinaw City Community Picnic & Kids Day at the Historic Village.  Food, fire truck rides & tours of the historic buildings.  www.mackinawcity.org

5 thru Nov. 13   Village of Mackinaw City Annual Fall Cleanup  www.mackinawcity.org    

4   Michigan Archaeology Day at Colonial Michilimackinac.  www.mackinacparks.com  

7   Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Dinner at Admiral's Table.  Tickets $20 each.  Call 436-5574 to reserve. 

9-10  Fort Fright at Colonial Michilimackinac www.mackinacparks.com  

9-11   The Great Pumpkin Hunt!  Contact Kelly at the Chamber office if your business would like to participate.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

9-11 Cynthia's Fine Yarn & Gifts Presents: THE ULTIMATE TWOSOME RETREAT  48 Women Studying Knitting Techniques2 Great Designing Teachers: Chris Bylsma & Candace Eisner Strick. 3 Days of Fun, One night of Yarn Bingo, Games, & Time to talk with instructors! One Place Cynthia's! Held at Audie's Restaurant, Mackinaw City.  For more information or to register contact Cynthia at 436-5882.

9-12    Teysen's Gift Shop Troll beads Trunk Show.  Find great Christmas gift ideas for others and yourself!

9-18   Fall Shoppers Festival

10   1^st Annual Fall Colors Bridge Race www.mackinawcity.com

11   Mackinac State Historic Parks close for season.

13   Golden Dragon Acrobats from China at the Cheboygan Opera House.  The performance is at 7:00pm to accommodate those who have school or work the next day.  This is a show for the entire family.